• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2016

A number of studies in recent years of have begun to look at the connection between country affinity (an interest in and admiration of a particular country) and a desire to buy the products and services of that country. Country affinity has been shown to be particularly important when consumers lack other sources of information about a good or service. However, except for direct questioning, methods to identify the affinity consumers might have for another country are lacking. This study examines the degree to which attending a movie set in a particular country will be related to an affinity for that country and possibly by extension the goods and services of that country. It is not the goal of this study to suggest that movies create the affinity, but rather that that the affinity will exist for viewers of the films. Two films set in Ireland and featuring Irish actors where shown to audiences composed of Korean students and a small number of Korean adults. As a point of comparison, students in two introductory consumer classes were also asked to complete a similar questionnaire. Four affinity factors were identified from a list of 17 items. Those who attended the historical drama showed a greater affinity for Ireland than those who attended the romantic musical. Affinity for Ireland among Koreans was also meaningful in predicting interest in purchasing Irish products.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

Purpose - This research aims to determine whether the consumer affinity and ethnocentrism as well as the image of a foreign country (Japanese product as the most popular product in Indonesia) are able to influence behavior related to the perceived risk and willingness to buy foreign products from the affinity country. Research design, data, and methodology - Using survey techniques with 164 respondents, the study uses structural equation model with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). To ensure the research objective and appropriate respondent, then we select an individual who have interest on Japanese culture & language. The primary and secondary data used in this study. Primary data refers to information collected directly from respondent by questionnaires dissemination while secondary data is provided from well-established literatures. Results - The results show us that the ethnocentrism has dominant affection role compared to affinity in order to influence consumer behavior meanwhile, the product country image has cognition role to evoke consumer desire to consume foreign products. Conclusions - From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to international marketing literature by refining the conceptualization of the consumer affinity construct and highlighting its multidimensional nature. The consumer affinity research need to enrich in term of the context and the different culture and situation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.6 no.10
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• pp.53-61
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• 2006

Culture, consumers' value and attitude play an important role for global marketing strategy on cross-cultural perspectives. The aim of this research was to investigate how consumer ethnocentrism and cultural affinity affect psychic distance, country image and competitive brand choice. data were collected through personal interview. A total of 234 responses are put to final analysis. The results are as follows: First, cultural affinity play an important role for psychic distance and country image. Second, consumer ethnocentrism has directly affected country image and psychic distance. Finally, country image has affected competitive brand choice, but psychic distance doesn't have affected.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.117-136
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• 2021

Purpose - The research is aimed at investigating the dynamics of economic cooperation among countries which share historical and genetic affinity. Research design, data, and methodology - The study analyzed historical and genetic affinity after reviewing related thesis data on countries with historical relations studied by domestic historians. After that, it was applied to the method of designating the counterparts for economic cooperation and suggesting economic cooperation measures within a comprehensive range. Results - Economic cooperation with the counterparts should complement the ongoing economic cooperation with each country among their planned national strategies. Korea proposes such matters in a way that cooperates and develops to obtain mutual economic benefits. Among the associated countries, Mongolia is for the underground resource processing industry, Turkey for the investment of companies advancing into neighboring countries, Kazakhstan for the diversification of business centered on the manufacturing industry, Uzbekistan for the modernization and diversification of industrial production, Turkmenistan for the localization of resource-based industries and Export promotion, Hungary for the increase in investment in line with the East-ward policy, Finland is for the cooperation in the knowledge-based industry. Conclusion - This economic cooperation can raise Korea's international status to the next level and further strengthen our voice right in the international community.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2020

This study explored the socio-economic implications of Korean popular songs, of which the prevalence is divided by three periods: During the Japanese colonial period, from the country's liberation to the Korean war, and after the Korean war until the year of 1959. The economic exploration of popular songs per period in this paper has a high value as an interdisciplinary study because they contain not only the economic situation of Korea at the time, but also life affinity and convergence. Moreover, this study is significant as the glocalization strategy, the increment of creativity, and strengthen competitiveness.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.3-11
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• 2021

Myanmar is an undeveloped country with high development value among Asian countries. Therefore, various countries including the U.S. are considering entering the market. In this respect, demand for real estate development project is forecast to grow on increased inflow of foreigners and Myanmar's economic growth. However, Myanmar is a high-risk country in terms of overseas companies, including national risk. In this study, we conducted an in-depth interview with experts (law, finance, technology, and local experts) after analyzing data on Myanmar to extract risk-causing factors. Through this, 106 risk factors were extracted, and the final risk classification system was established by conducting three-time groupings using the affinity diagramming. And the relative importance of each factor was presented using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique. As a result, the country-related risk, the fund-related risk, and the pre-sale-related risk were highly important. The research results are expected to provide risk management standards to companies entering the Myanmar real estate development type project.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.559-575
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to systematically explain and discuss the return migration of Koreans in Central Asia to the Russian Far East. The Koreans' return migration is explained by the combination of push and pull factors inherent in the host and home countries. The structural or institutional push factors in Central Asia include the linguistic policy of a country, civil war, ethnic conflicts, while the micro ones are the Koreans' high concern of their children's education and the improvement of a socio-economic status. The macro pull factors operated in the Russian Far East are the permission to use the housing facilities and land previously controlled by military authorities and the laws of recovering the koreans' basic right and honor, while the micro ones are the networks of relatives and friends living in Central Asia and the Russian Far East. The two aspects related to the Koreans' return migration are also discussed. Firstly, the return migration of Koreans in Central Asia is interpreted as a migration of ethnic affinity. Secondly, the establishment of an autonomous district of Koreans in the Russian Far East is discussed.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2019

Where is a better place to live? In the coming era, this should be more than simply a livable place. It should be an adaptable place that has a flexible system adaptable to any new situation in terms of diversity. Customization and real-time operation are needed in order to realize this technologically. We expect a smart city to have a flexible system that applies technologies of self-monitoring and self-response, thereby being a promising city model towards being a better place to live. Energy demand and supply is a crucial issue concerning our expectations for the flexible system of a smart city because it is indispensable to comfortable living, especially city living. Although it may seem that energy diversification, such as the energy mix of a country, is a matter of overriding concern, the central point is the scale of place to build grids for realizing sustainable urban energy systems. A traditional hard energy path supported by huge centralized energy systems based on fossil and nuclear fuels on a national scale has already faced difficult problems, particularly in terms of energy flexibility/resilience. On the other hand, an alternative soft energy path consisting of small diversified energy systems based on renewable energy sources on a local scale has limitations regarding stability, variability, and supply potential despite the relatively light economic/technological burden that must be assumed to realize it. As another alternative, we can adopt a holonic path incorporating an alternative soft energy path with a traditional hard energy path complimentarily based on load management. This has a high affinity with the flexible system of a smart city. At a system level, the purpose of all of the paths mentioned above is not energy itself but the service it provides. If the expected energy service is fixed, the conclusive factor in choosing a more appropriate system is accessibility to the energy service. Accessibility refers to reliability and affordability; the former encompasses the level of energy self-sufficiency, and the latter encompasses the extent of energy saving. From this point of view, it seems that the small diversified energy systems of a soft energy path have a clear advantage over the huge centralized energy systems of a hard energy path. However, some insuperable limitations still remain, so it is reasonable to consider both energy systems continuing to coexist in a multiplexing energy system employing a holonic path to create and maintain reliable and affordable access to energy services that cover households'/enterprises' basic energy needs. If this is embodied in a smart city concept, this is nothing else but smart energy inclusion. In Japan, following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, a trend towards small diversified energy systems of a soft energy path intensified in order to realize a nuclear-free society. As a result, the Government of Japan proclaimed in its Fifth Strategic Energy Plan that renewable energy must be the main source of power in Japan by 2050. Accordingly, Sony vowed that all the energy it uses would come from renewable sources by 2040. In this situation, it is expected that smart energy inclusion will be achieved by the Japanese version of a smart grid based on the concept of a minimum cost scheme and demand response.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.47
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• pp.173-202
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• 2023

In this study, we delve into the potential for innovative cultural education techniques that utilize the timeless tales of Princess Bari and The Tale of Shim Cheong as tailored for the upcoming generations of overseas Korean learners. With a rising number of young overseas Koreans born and raised in their host countries, there emerges a pressing need to craft an educational framework that resonates with the evolving dynamics of their generation. Our endeavor revolves around proposing educational strategies that help solidify identity while carefully considering the intrinsic motivation prevalent among most overseas Koreans. Naturally, the choice of employing the classic epics Princess Bari and The Tale of Shim Cheong as educational resources was deliberate. These narratives are rich in rites of passage and offer profound insights into the transformative journey of their protagonists. Both characters are affluent women in patriarchal societies, and both embark on quests to redefine themselves through new relationships, liberating themselves from the confines of parental ties. This narrative framework provides a unique opportunity for overseas Koreans who are often adrift in the social fabric of their adopted countries. These stories inspire them to introspect and contemplate their own identities. By intertwining their personal narratives with the empowering stories of characters, students are provided a chance to reaffirm their authentic selves. Therein, a paradigm shift can occur that allows individuals to embrace the core elements that define them. Our ultimate objective was to enable students to explore their own stories and immerse themselves in the intricate narratives of classical works. This immersive experience fosters a profound sense of unity with the characters and paves the way for a comprehensive educational plan. This plan not only celebrates the hybrid nature of identity but also cultivates a deep sense of positivity within amalgamated 'subjects.' Such an approach not only fosters a stronger connection with one's heritage but also sparks a genuine curiosity about and affinity for the rich cultural tapestry of one's home country. It's not just education; it's a transformative journey that enriches the lives of overseas Koreans and nurtures a profound bond with their cultural roots.